Air-vent-controlling apparatus for radiators.



No. 721,809. PATENTED MAR. s,- 1903-. W. s. JOHNSON. A AIR VENT CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 1897;

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, W. s. JOHNSON. AIR VENT OONTVROLLI NAPPARATUS FOR RADIATORS.

APPLIOATIO-N FILED JUNE 28, 1897;

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PATENTED MAR. 3,1903,

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APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 1897.

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: ORR s PETERS co PHQTO LT o s NITEED STATES IVARREN S. JOHNSON, OF MILW'AUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO JOHNSON ELECTRIC SERVICE COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORA- TION OF WISCONSIN.

AIR-VENT- CONTROLLING APPARATUS FOR RADIATORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 721,809, dated March 3, 1903.

Application filed June 28, 1897.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, WARREN S. J OHNSO N, of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air-Vent- Controlling Apparatus for Radiators; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and, usethe same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the characters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The main objects of this invention are to automatically and efiectively remove air from radiators when the heating medium is admitted thereto, to insure the opening and closing of the air-vents of the radiators at the proper times and to make the operation of the ventvalves certain and efiective, to maintain and utilize the vacuum produced by condensation in heating systems when steam or vapor is cooled therein for accelerating the fiow of the heating medium into the radiators, and generally to improve the construction and operation of the class of apparatus to which the invention pertains.

It consists of certain novel features in the construction and arrangement of component parts of the apparatus, as hereinafter particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

I In the accompanying drawings like characters designate the same parts in the several figures.

Figure 1 is a general view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of my improved vent-controlling apparatus in connection with an automatic heat regulating apparatus. Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2 2, Fig. 3, of the radiator, vent-valve, motor, and connections. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a room thermostat and associated valve mechanism suitable for use in connection with my vent-controlling apparatus.

For the purpose of illustration I have shown my improved device in connection with a oneplpe heating system or with a radiator hav- Serial No. 642.585- (No model.)

ing a single pipe connection for the supply and discharge or return of the heating medium and a single valve controlling the supply and release of the heating medium; but

my invention is equally applicable to a twopipe system of heating in which the heating medium is conducted to and from each radiator through separate pipes controlled by separate valves. In either system, however, each radiator is provided with an air-vent which is distinct from and independent of the inlet and outlet connections of the radiator 'for the heating medium; but in some cases and under certain conditions the outlet connection when it opens to the atmosphere serves both as the water-waste and air-vent, and my controlling apparatus may be applied thereto. Heretofore this air-vent has been' controlled manually or by a thermal trap or thermally-operated valve, which is constructed and arranged without the aid of another force to open the vent when the heating medium is absent from the radiator and the radiator is cooled to a certain extent and to close said vent when the heating medium is admitted to the radiator and the thermal vent valve or device is heated to a certain degree. The operation of such vent valves or devices depends entirely upon the expansion and contraction of the substances of which they are made, due to the heating and cooling of the radiators to which they are attached. As heretofore constructed they afford only a small opening for the escape of air while the radiator is being filled with steam. Their action is uncertain and indeterminate and they frequently leak, failing to close completely as well as failing to open fully when they should.

It is the object of my improvements, among other things, to positively and completely open and close the vent at the proper times and to afford ample opening for the release of air contained in the radiator when the steam or vapor is admitted thereto.

My improved vent-controlling mechanism is not only applicable to different systems of heating, but may also be used in connection with various systems of' heat-regulating apparatus.

too

heating medium to and from the radiator Referring to Fig. 1, A designates a radiator,which may be of any ordinary or suitable style or construction. B is a single pipe for conducting steam or other heating medium to and from the radiator. C is a valve controlling the admission and release of the through said pipe.

I have shown in connection with a radiator a supply-pipe and controlling-valve of a onepipe heating system automatic heat-regulating apparatus designed to be operated by fluid-pressu re under the control of a thermostat, but my improved air-vent apparatus is by no means confined in its application to anyparticular system of heat regulation, but, as above stated, may be applied to different systems of heat regulation with modifications that will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which my invention pertains.

D is a fluid-motor, which may be of the usual kind heretofore employed by me in my various systems of heat-regulating apparatus. dis a service-pipe connecting the expansionchamber of said motor with a thermostat E, which may be of any of the ordinary forms employed in heat regulation, constructed and arranged to admit the fluid-actuating medium from a supply-pipe 6 into said servicepipe when the temperture rises to a certain point and to close communication between said pipes and release the fluid medium in the service-pipe (1 whenever the temperature falls below that point.

Referring to Fig. 4, which illustrates in sufficient detail to explain its operation a thermostat and supply and waste valve mechanism suitable for use in connection with my vent-controlling apparatus and for controlling the supply and release of the compressed air or other fluid-actuating medium to and from the motor D, 1 is an ordinary thermal expansion-strip, composed of materials having different coefficients of expansion. It is provided with a pad or valve 2, which controls the Waste port or passage 3 of an expansion-chamber 4. This chamber is in constant communication through a restricted passage 5 with the supply-pipe e. The piston or diaphragm-plate 6, constituting the movable part of the expansion-chamber, is connected by a snap-action-lever device 7 with a supply and waste valve 8, which controls communication between the service and supply pipes d and e and between the service-pipe d and the atmosphere through a waste port or passage 9 around the valve-stem. The lever device 7 converts the slow or gradual movement of the piston or diaphragm-plate 6 into asudden movement, by which the valve 8 is instantly shifted to its extreme limits in opposite directions, so as to close the supply-port and open the waste-port, and vice versa. As the temperature of the room in which the thermostat is placed falls the expansion-strip 1 is bent toward the waste-port 3, and when a certain degree, depending upon the adj ustment of the instrument, is reached the valve 2 closes the waste port or passage 3, the expansion-chamber 4 is gradually inflated through the restricted supply-passage 5, and the lever device 7 is gradually shifted until it reaches a central position, whereupon it suddenly completes its movement and shifts the valve 8 from its seat over the waste-port 9 to its seat over the supply-port, thereby closing communication between the service and supply pipes d and e and opening communication between the service-pipe d and the atmosphere through the waste-port 9. The fluid under pressure which holds the valve 0 closed will thus'be released from the motor D, and said valve will be opened by a spring which acts in opposition to the fluid-pressure, as shown in Fig. 1. As the temperature rises by reason of the admission of the heating medium into the radiator A or from any other cause the expansion-strip 1 will be bent away from the waste port or passage 3, and when a certain degree, depending upon the adjustment of the instrument, is reached said waste port or passage will be opened by the valve 2 and the expansion-chamber 4 will be depleted, the waste port or passage 3 being of larger area than the restricted supply-passage 5. The piston or diaphragm-plate 6 will thereupon be gradually moved back toward its original position by a spring 10 acting on said lever device in opposition to the fluid-pressure in said expansion-chamber, and when said lever device reaches or slightly passes its central position it will instantly complete its movement and shift the valve 8 from the supplyport to the waste-port, thereby opening communication between the service and supply pipes d and e and closing communication through the waste-port 9 between the servicepipe and the atmosphere. The expansionchamber of the motor D will thus be supplied with fluid under pressure, and the Valve 0 will be closed.

It will be understood that the supply-pipe e connects, as usual, with a source of fluidpressure, such as a pump or compressed-air reservoir.

The above-mentioned apparatus is of wellknown construction and arrangement and is shown and described merely for the purpose of more fully and clearly explaining the function and purpose of my improvements.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, showing, on an enlarged scale, myimproved air-vent-controlling apparatus in connection with Fig. 1, F is a tube or chamber having a threaded opening and connection f at its upper end for attachment to the air-vent pipe a of a radiator, and at its lower end a similar threaded opening and connection f for the attachment of a continuation of said pipe or a waste-pipe a. for conducting off any water, vapor, or moisture that may escape from the radiator. It is also formed or provided at an intermediate point with an outlet-opening and valve-seat f G is' a valve which is fitted to said seat and is arranged to close inwardly ortoward- It has a stem- 9, which passes outwardly through an opening in said pipe or chamber and is provided the pressure in the radiator.

at its outer end with a head g, between which and the outer wall of said pipe'or chamberis' interposed a spiral spring 9 tending to open and hold said valve away from its seat. If necessary or desired, packing may be provided, as shown, around the valve-stem, where it passes through the wall of the tube or chamber F. H is a fluid-motor which in the present instance comprises two flexible diaphragms h and h and a cap or case M, which are clamped together at their outer edges with a ring 72, interposed between the two dia-- terpose between them a pad W, of felt or other porous material. The expansion-chamber h communicates through a passage 2' with a pipe 1;, leading out of the fluid-supply pipe 6 or from any other convenient-source of fluidpressure. The passage t is provided with a pin-valve I, by means of which its area is reduced and adjusted. j is a waste-passage leading out of said chamber h and terminating adjacent to the wall of tube or chamber F in a nipple j. K is a thermal expansion strip composed of two pieces of metals or other materials having different coefficients of expansion. It is attached at one end to the tube F, lengthwise thereof and in close proximity therewith. At or near its opposite end it is provided with a valve is, opposite the orifice in nipple j, which it is adapted to close when the expansion-strip is bent by rising temperature away from the tube or chamber F. A screw it serves to adjust said expansion-strip, so that it will open or close said orifice at any desired degree of temperature. The tube E, which is preferably made generally cylindrical in form, is recessed or flattened on that side to which the expansionstrip is attached, and a tubular cover or casing L is fitted to slip over the tube F and inclose the expansion-strip, thus protecting it against the influence of the surrounding atmosphere and any sudden fluctuations of temperature due to drafts and also against mechanical inj ury or unauthorized interference. The expansion-chamber 72/5 is connected by a pipe m with the service-pipe d, leading from the room-thermostat E to the motor D, which operates the main heat-controlling valve 0.

My improved apparatus operates as follows: Assuming that the steam or other heating medium has been shut ofi from the radiator and that it is filled with air, if-now the .from the expansion-chamber 72 valve G being thus released by both expansion-chambers of the motor H is fully opened therein. chamber it will be inflated and the valve G will be-closed against the tension of spring apparatus being connected and adjusted for operation and steam being supplied in the pipe B and'compressed air in the pipe 6 the temperature of the room in which the thermostat E is located falls below the point at which the thermostat is adjusted to release the compressed air from motor D through the pipe 01 the expansion-chamber of said motor will be deflated and the valve 0 will'be opened, jas shown in Fig. 1, thereby admitting the steam into the radiator. cold, the expansion-strip K is bent away from the nipple j, uncovering the orifice therein and allowing the air to escape from the expansion-chamber k of motor H faster than it can enter said chamber through the restricted-supply passage 2, and the service- ,pipe (1 being open to the atmosphere at the roomthermostat E allows the air to escape The ventby thespring 9 allowing the air contained in the radiator to escape freely therefrom through its vent connections and the steam to enter without obstruction. As soon, however, as steam begins to pass through the tube or chamber F its walls are heated and the expansionstrip K is bent toward the nipplej, causing the valve is to close the orifice When this occurs, the expansionand thus prevent waste of steam. When the temperature of the room rises to the point at which the thermostat E is adjusted to close the main heat-controlling valve 0, compressed her it of motor H, and will thus prevent the opening of the vent-valve G when the radiator and vent-tube F have cooled sufficiently to bend the expansion-strip K away from the nipple j and open the orifice therein. As the radiator cools the steam entrapped therein by condensation produces a vacuum, which actin g on the vent-valve G assists the compressed air in the expansion-chamber 72. to hold it closed firmly against its seat after the expansion-chamber It has been deflated by the cooling of the radiator and the opening of the thermostatic valve k. The maintenance of the vacuum in the radiator while the steam is shut 01f therefrom is thus insured. When the temperature of the room falls sufficiently to cause the opening of the valve 0 in the 'manner hereinbefore mentioned, the filling of the radiator with steam will be greatly accelerated by the vacuum therein, the opening vacuum, which acts in opposition to the spring 9 when the air is released from the expansion-chamber 72 through the pipe in upon the opening of the main valve 0. Should there be any air in the radiator, the valve G will The radiator being of the vent-valve G being retarded'by the be opened and allow it to escape ahead of the inflowing steam as soon as the force of the vacuum exerted upon said valve is less than the force of the spring g but the steam following the air will act promptly through the expansion-strip to close the thermostatic valvej, and thus by the inflation of the expansion-chamber h to close the valve G and prevent waste of steam.

Various changes in the details of the apparatus may be made within the spirit and intended scope of my invention.

I claim- 1. The combination with valve mechanism for controlling the supply ofaheati'ng medium in a radiator, motor mechanism for operating said valve mechanism and a thermostat controlling the operation of said motor mechanism according to the temperature of the room in which said thermostat is located, of valve mechanism for controlling the air-vent of the radiator, motor mechanism having an actuating connection controlled by said thermostat for operating said vent-valve mechanism, which is also thermostatically controlled independently of said thermostat, substantially as described.

2. The combination with valve mechanism for controlling the supply of a heating medium in a radiator, motor mechanism for operating said valve mechanism and a thermostat controlling the operation of said motor mechanism, of valve mechanism for controlling the air-vent of the radiator, motor mechanism for operating said vent-valve mechanism having an actuating connection which is also controlled by said thermostat according to the temperature of the room, said vent valve mechanism being also controlled according to the temperature of the radiator, substantially as described.

3. The combination with a radiator provided with a vent opening or connection, of valve mechanism controlling said vent opening or connection, motor mechanism for operating said vent-valve mechanism, having two actuating connections, a thermostat located at a distance from the radiator and controlling one of said connections according to the temperature of the room in which said radiator is located, and another thermostat located in contact or close proximity with a part of the radiator and controlling the other connection according to the direct heat of that part of the radiator to which it is applied, substantially as described.

4. The combination with the main valve for controlling the supply of a heating medium toa radiator, a fluid-motor for operating said valve and a thermostat controlling the supply of the fluid-actuating medium in said motor, of valve mechanism controlling the airvent of the radiator,two fluid-expansion chambers for operating said valve mechanism, one

of said chambers having a fluid connection controlled by said thermostat according to the temperature of the room in which the thermostat is located, another thermostat arranged in proximity with a part or adjunct of the radiator and controlling the supply of the fluid-actuating medium in the other chamber, according to the temperature of the radiator, substantially as described.

5. The combination with the main valve controlling the supply of a heating medium to a radiator, a fluid-motor for operating said valve and a thermostat controlling the supply of the fluid-actuating medium in said motor, of air-vent valve mechanism applied to the radiator, a fluid-motor for operating said valve mechanism comprising two expansion chambers and two flexible diaphragms, one chamber having a fluid connection controlled by said thermostat, another thermostat arranged in proximity with a part or adjunct of the radiator and controlling the supply of the actuating medium in the other chamber, anda pad interposed between said diaphragms, substantially as described.

6. In a temperature-regulating apparatus for heating systems, the combination of a radiator, a valve or damper for controlling the supply of the heating medium thereto, a motor for operating said valve or damper having a connection for the passage of motor fluid, an air-valve on said radiator, a motor for controlling said air-valve having a connection for the passage of motor fluid, and a thermostat for controlling the passage of motor-actuating fluid to said motors for actuating the supply-valve, and controlling the airvalve, substantially as described.

7. In a temperature-regulating apparatus for heating systems, the combination of a radiator, an air valve thermostatically controlled according to the temperature of the radiator, and a thermostatically-controlled motor for controlling said air-valve according to the temperature of the apartment being heated, substantially as described.

8. In temperature-regulating apparatus for heating systems, the combination of a radiator having an air-vent, thermostatic valve mechanism controlling said air-vent according to variations in the temperature of the radiator, and a thermostatically-controlled motor also controlling said air-vent according to variations in the temperature of the room in which the radiator is located, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WARREN S. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

ALICE E. FARDY, CHAS. L. Goss. 

